Structural grid for slab facing materials

ABSTRACT

A mounting system structural grid for slab facing materials including a basic building structure and a plurality of adjacent slabs, each slab having attachment means in the vicinity of at least one pair of opposite outside edges. This grid includes a plurality of spaced, parallel first support members, each having at least one leg portion with at least one pair of slots, and a plurality of spaced, parallel second support members, normal to and intersecting but planar with the first support members, and also having at least one leg portion with at least one pair of slots. The slab attachment means are operatively engageable in one of the slots of each of the leg portions of a pair of one of the first and second support members, thereby cooperatively mounting a slab of facing material therebetween. The support members are preferably angularly shaped to form mounting flanges or legs from an L-shape T-shape or U-shape.

United States Patent Santry [54] STRUCTURAL GRID FOR SLAB FACING MATERIALS Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney-Clarence R. Patty, Jr. and Ernst H. Ruf

[ 51 Mar. 28, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT A mounting system structural grid for slab facing materials ineluding a basic building structure and a plurality of adjacent slabs, each slab having attachment means in the vicinity of at least one pair of opposite outside edges. This grid includes a plurality of spaced, parallel first support members, each having at least one leg portion with at least one pair of slots, and a plurality of spaced, parallel second support members, normal to and intersecting but planar with the first support members, and also having at least one leg portion with at least one pair of slots. The slab attachment means are operatively engageable in one of the slots of each of the leg portions of a pair of one of the first and second support members, thereby cooperatively mounting a slab of facing material therebetween. The support members are preferably angularly shaped to form mounting flanges or legs from an L-shape T-shape or U-shape.

15 Claims; 8 Drawing Figures Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,611

B SheetS-Sheet 1 Fig. I

George J. San fry ATTORNEY Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,611

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ///z////y////l//[V//////fl///// I N VENTUR.

BY George J. Sanfry ATTORNEY Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,613

5 Sheets-Sheet Z INVENTOR.

George J. Sanrry QWMAQQ ATTORNEY STRUCTURAL GRID FOR SLAB FACING MATERIALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field to which this invention pertains is that of building construction and more particularly to a mounting system structural grid for slab facing materials for both interior and exterior construction.

It is a well known building practice, especially in large office or apartment building construction, to build the basic support structure of generally one material, such as reinforced concrete, for example, and then form the exterior of the build ing, as well as parts of the interior, such as the lobby, with a facing of adjacent, thin slabs of material, such as marble, granite or the like. The slabs of facing material are often mounted on a metal grid system previously attached to the basic support structure at desired intervals to provide repeating anchoring points. This type of construction, i.e., the use of structural grids to anchor slab facing materials, obviously lessens the total building expense since less stone is needed per square foot of coverage; installation is much faster than laying stone with mortar; the total weight of the stone is greatly reduced; and the facing is relatively easily removed or replaced if so desired.

Previously, several systems have been proposed by which thin stone slabs may be mounted as a permanent building facing in an attempt to gain the above advantages, with exemplary systems being disclosed by the several patents to Zibell, namely U.S. Pat. Nos.. 3,234,702, 3,266,209 and 3,319,983. While these systems have proven generally acceptable they have also been subject to certain short-comings and disadvantages.

In the Zibell system the stone slabs are provided with kerfs along the entire length of the upper and lower operative edges thereof to receive a cantilever supporting and anchoring member. The grid system, attached to the basic structure, comprises spaced, generally U-shaped metal struts with the legs thereof being formed with inwardly facing flanges. The facing material is supported from these struts by means of anchor members, each of which includes a web spacer portion as well as kerf and strut engaging portions. The supporting and anchoring members are of a configuration that requires engagement with the groove in the stone, with this engagement being difficult to match during the installation thereof. In addition, the anchor members must be attached to the metal struts either by clip members requiring a further bolting means or by spring and friction fits. Clip and bolting means are quite time consuming to install, while spring and friction fits generally require close tolerances for proper reliability. Furthermore, in the Zibell system the slabs are secured only on their top and bottom, i.e., horizontal surfaces, with no provision being made for side attachment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the previously mentioned problems by utilizing a whole new and novel mounting system structural grid for slab facing materials.

Each slab or panel that is to be mounted on the structural grid of this invention requires attachment means in the vicinity of at least one pair of opposite outside edges, and preferably has attachment means in the vicinity of both pairs of opposite outside edges. These attachment means may consist of panel framing members, which surround the entire length of the peripheral edges of each slab, and attachment lugs of any desired configuration, each having one end thereof fixedly secured to the panel framing members.

The several embodiments of the structural grid of this invention feature pluralities of spaced, parallel first metal support members that are intersected by pluralities of spaced, parallel second metal support members, thus producing a generally rectangular self-repeating grid structure. These support members are fixedly attached to structural components of the structure to which the panels of facing material are to be applied and so spaced that adjacent pairs of these first and second support members can mount a slab of facing material therebetween. Each of the support members includes an attachment base and at least one flange or leg portion preferably having at least one pair of slots. Preferably the slots of one parallel pair of support members have at least one wedge portion while the slots of the other pair of parallel support members are generally rectangular in shape. Once the support members, which preferably are either generally U-shaped, L- shaped or T-shaped, are fastened to the basic support structure, and plumbed for vertical and horizontal accuracy, the slabs may be rapidly installed. Installation of each panel onto the grids of this invention is generally accomplished, for example, on a vertical wall, by; (l) engaging the attachment lugs, near the top periphery of the panel, into the slots of the leg portion of the upper of a pair of horizontal support members; (2) moving the panel upwardly (in a direction parallel with the grid) to allow the attachment lugs near the panel side peripheral surfaces to clear the wedge portions of the pair of vertical support members, as well as allowing the lugs near the panel lower peripheral surface to clear the leg portion of the lower horizontal support member; and (3) moving the panel downwardly to permit lug engagement with both the vertical support member wedge portions as well as the slots of the lower horizontal support member. Thereupon the panel is anchored between the leg portions of both two adjacent first support members and two adjacent second support members, i.e., on all four sides. A unique feature is the way in which the attachment lugs on the sides of the panels are engaged into the bayonet or wedge-type slots of the vertical support members. Close dimensional tolerances between the lugs and their counterpart slots, in terms of location, size and shape, cause the panels to be uniformly and securely clasped to the structure in a nearly perfect plane. No tedious panel groove engagement or bolting means are required since the panels are essentially merely hung and locked into place on the structural grids.

In summary this invention discloses a mounting system structural grid for slab facing materials, including a basic building structure and a plurality of adjacent slabs, each slab having attachment means in the vicinity of at least one pair of opposite outside edges. The grid assembly includes a plurality of spaced, parallel, first support members, secured to structural components forming the structure on which the slabs are to be mounted, with each of these first support members having at least one flange or leg portion which preferably'incorporates at least one pair of slots. A plurality of spaced, parallel, second support members, normal to and intersecting but planar with the first support members, are also secured to the structural components, with each of these second support members also having at least one flange or leg portion which preferably incorporates at least one pair of slots. The attachment means are operatively engageable in one of the slots of each leg portion of a pair of one of the first and second support members, thereby cooperatively mounting a slab of facing material therebetween. The support members are so spaced that the attachment means in the vicinity of the contiguous edges of each pair of adjacent slabs are operatively engageable in the pair of slots of the leg portion of one of said first and second support members. While each slab or panel is preferably secured to the grids of this invention by operatively engaging the attachment means both between two first support members and between two second support members, it is also possible to secure the panels merely between either only two first or two second support members, i.e., thereby securing the panels only on one pair of opposite outside edges.

Other advantages and features of this invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the associated drawings.

BRIEF DRAWING DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a front view of a planar wall comprising a plurality of adjacent slabs which are mounted on one embodiment of the mounting system structural grid of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on line 22 of FIG. 1 showing a pair of adjacent slabs attached to one of the structural grid support members.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, illustrating one embodiment of the structural grid of this invention and the mounting of a slab thereon.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are schematic views of the installation of panel on the structural grid shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but shows a further embodiment of the structural grid of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 6 but discloses yet another embodiment of the structural grid of this inventron.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 is a front view of a planar wall 12 constructed of a plurality of adjacent slabs or panels S of facing material, mounted on one embodiment of the structural grid of the present invention. As illustrated, slabs S are preferably rectangular, but in the alternative may be of any shape consistent with good building design.

FIG. 2, which shows a pair of adjacent slabs S attached to one of the support members of this invention, also shows a gripping and sealing system B for slabs S. Slabs S have grooves or kerfs 16 along the entire peripheral edges thereof to receive the gripping portion of a typical structural channel or panel framing member 20. A plurality of members 20 (generally two oppositely directed pairs in the case of rectangular slabs) surround the entire length of the peripheral edges of each slab S, and are cut and joined at the corners thereof in a manner well known in the art. Member 20 is generally F-shaped and is comprised of main body portion 22 and first, second and third flange portions 24, 26 and 28 respectively. Forwardly extending flange portion 24 has inwardly directed flange face 36 extending into slab kerf l6. Rearwardly extending second flange portion 26 has first and second outwardly directed flange faces 38, 40 respectively. Rearwardly extending third flange portion 28 acts as both a structural stiffener for main body portion 22 and as a joiner member for one end of an attachment lug A of any desired configuration. In order to prevent dust or metal particles from causing point loadings between S and member 20, a layer of resilient material 44 is interposed therebetween.

Adjacent panels S abut at their first flange portions 24, with metal-to-metal contact being prevented by the interposition of a protective edging tape 46 therebetween. Weather tightness between panels S is assured by two plenums 48 and 50 behind first flange portion 24. First plenum chamber 48, located between adjacent main body portions 22 and opposed flange faces 38, provides for the equalization of the air pressure acting on front and rear surfaces of panels S and contains a mechanical spline 52 which acts as a moisture stop. Second plenum chamber 50 located between flange faces 38 and 40, contains two opposed gaskets 54 which by reason of their mutual contact are compressed and thereby provide a seal.

It should be noted that the features of gripping and sealing system B, shown here associated with slabs or panels S, have been illustrated merely to show the environment of one type of panel that may be mounted on the structural grid of this invention. Thus, it should be emphasized that gripping and sealing system B (i.e., members 20, resilient material 44, tape 46, spline 52 and gaskets 54) as well as attachment lugs A form no part of the present invention. However, a gripping and sealing means of the type depicted by letter B is thoroughly described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 36,298 filed May I l, 1970 and also assigned to the assignee of this invention.

As best seen in FIG. 3, one embodiment 60 of the structural grid of this invention is constructed of pluralities of spaced parallel first generally U-shaped or channel-shaped metal support members 62 intersected by pluralities of spaced parallel second generally U-shaped metal support members 64, with support members 64 being normal to but planar with support members 62. Both support member 62, comprised of similar, preferably parallel, mounting flange or leg portions 66, 68, joined by attachment base or web portion 70, and support member 64, comprised of similar, preferably parallel flange or leg portions 72, 74, joined by base or web portion 75, are attached to a structural component C of the structure.

The support members 62 are attached to structure C by any suitable fastening means, as for example by screws (not shown) passing through attachment base or web portions 70 and 75.

Each support member 62 has at least one set of preferably parallel opposite open slots 76, 78 in leg portions 66, 68 respectively, with slots 76, 78 having at least one wedge portion 80, 81 respectively.

Similarly, each support member 64 has at least one set of preferably parallel opposite closed slots 82, 84 in leg portions 72, 74 respectively. The exact shape of slots 82, 84 as well as slots 76, 78 is of course dependent upon the cross-sectional shape of attachment lugs A. While attachment lugs of any desired configuration may be utilized, one usable form of lugs arethose depicted by letter A. Lugs A are generally of angular configuration having one leg portion attached (in any desired manner) to third flange portions 28 (of panel framing members 20) while the other leg portion is operatively engageable in either or both sets of slots 76, 78 and 82, 84. The grid-contacting leg portions of lugs A are preferably provided with a protective outer layer, such as hard plastic, to prevent metalto-metal contact.

It should be noted that the spacing between the centerlines of two of parallel support members 62 corresponds to at least the width of panel S as framed by members 20. The spacing between the centerlines of two of parallel support members 64 corresponds at least to the length of panel S as framed by members 20, plus a small amount of clearance to allow for panel or building dimension variations. Once structural grid 60 has been fastened to structural members C and plumbed for vertical and horizontal accuracy, panels S may be rapidly installed.

FIG. 4, 5 and 6 are schematic views, progressively showing the installation of a panel S on structural grid 60. In FIG. 4', which depicts the start of a panel installation, lug A, on the upper peripheral surface of panel S, operatively engages slot 82 in leg portion 72 of upper second support member 64. For ease of insertion of lug A into slot 82, panel S is initially held at an angle with respect to grid 60, but upon insertion thereof, panel S is swung into a position parallel with grid 60, thus arriving at the position shown in FIG. 5. Thereupon, panel S is moved upwardly so that lugs A, on the side peripheral surfaces of panel S, clear wedge portions 80 and 81 of a spaced pair of first support members 62. In addition, the upward movement of panel S also allows lug A, on the lower peripheral surface of panel S, to clear leg portion 74 of lower second support member 64. (See FIG. 5). FIG. 6 then shows that, as panel S is moved downwardly (in a direction parallel with grid 60), lug A, on the lower peripheral surface of panel S, operatively engages slot 84 in leg portion 74 of lower second support member 64. Furthermore, as panel S is moved downwardly, lugs A, on the side peripheral surfaces of panel S are operatively engaged by slot wedge portions 80, 81. Thereupon, panel S is anchored both between opposed leg portions 66 and 68 of two parallel first support members 62 and opposed leg portions 72 and 74 of two parallel second support members 64. If desired, wedge means (not shown) may be inserted between the rear face of lug A, on the upper peripheral surface of panel S, and slot 82 (in leg portion 72) to eliminate the possibility of panel S rattling on grid 60. Furthermore, in keeping with good building design practice, setting blocks (not shown) may be incorporated at quarter points between panel S and leg portion 74 of lower second support member 64. In addition, the setting blocks may be skimmed as required for vertical adjustment of the panel position.

FIG. 7, which is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, shows a further embodiment 60a of the structural grid of this invention. Whereas previously described grid 60 uses generally U- shaped or channel-shaped angular metal support members, grid 60a uses generally L-shaped angular metal support members, which will now be described in more detail. Grid 60a is constructed of pluralities of spaced first generally L-shaped metal support members 62a intersected by pluralities of spaced parallel second generally L-shaped metal support members 64a, with support members 64a being normal to support members 62a. Support member 62a, comprised of an attachment base 66a and an angularly disposed mounting flange or leg portion 680, (preferably at right angles to each other) and support member 640 comprised of an attachment base 740 and an angularly disposed mounting flange or leg portion 72a, (preferably at right angles to each other) are attached to structure C by any suitable fastening means, as for example by screws (not shown), passing through attachment bases 66a and 74a.

Each leg portion 68a has at least two spaced slots 76a, 78a having at least one wedge portion 80a, 81a, respectively. Similarly, each leg portion 72a has at least two spaced slots 82a, 84a. The exact shape of slots 76a, 78a, as well as 82a, 84a is of course dependent upon the cross-sectional shape of attachment lugs A as previously noted.

The installation of a panel S on structural grid 60a follows in the same basic manner as previously described with reference to grid 60 and schematically shown in FIGS. 4-6. As shown in FIG. 7, after the installation of panel S on grid 60, panel S is anchored both between leg portions 68a of two parallel first support members 62a and leg portions 720 of two parallel second support members 64a. It should be noted however that tabs A of panel S in FIG. 7 are shown inserted in slots 76a and 82a and that consequently the adjacent panels (not shown) must have their tabs offset to the extent so as to allow insertion into slots 78a and 84a respectively. This tab offset is required in order to avoid interference between the tabs of adjacent panels.

FIG. 8, which is a view similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 7, shows a further embodiment 60b of the structural grid of this invention. The basic difference between previously described grid 60 (FIG. 3) and grid 60b is that the latter uses generally T-shaped metal support members while the former uses generally U-shaped metal support members. Grid 60a (FIG. 7) differs from grid 60b mainly in its use of generally L-shaped angular metal support members. Grid 60b is constructed of pluralities of spaced parallel first generally T-shaped metal support members 62b intersected by pluralities of spaced parallel second generally T-shaped metal support members 64b, with members 62b, 64b being normal to each other. Both support member 62b, comprised of attachment base or wing portion 66b and mounting flange or leg portion 68b as well as support member 64b, comprised of attachment base or wing portion 74b and mounting flange or leg portion 72b have wing portions 66b and 74b attached to structure C by any suitable fastening means.

Each leg portion 68b has at least two spaced slots 76b, 78b having at least one wedge portion 80b, 81b, respectively. Similarly, each leg portion 72b has at least two spaced slots 82b, 84b.

The installation of a panel S on structural grid 60b follows the same basic manner as previously described with reference to grids 60 and 60a. Again, as in the case of grid 60a, the adjacent panels (not shown) must have their tabs offset so as to allow insertion into slots 78b and 84b to avoid interference with tabs A of panel S in FIG. 7 which are shown inserted in slots 76b and 82b.

It should of course be obvious that the previously referredto wedge means (not shown) and setting blocks (not shown) may also be utilized in grids 60a and 60b.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, multiples of first and second support members, namely 62, 62a, 62b and 64, 64a, 64b, are arranged in a predetermined pattern so that their leg portions, such as leg portions 66 and 68 of first support member 62 (as well as leg portions 680 and 68b of first support members 62a and 62b, respectively), serve as anchor points for attachment lugs A secured to the contiguous sides of two adjacent panels (See FIG. 2).

Once structural grids 60, 60a, and 60b have been fastened to a structure C (and plumbed for vertical and horizontal accuracy), panels S may be installed quite rapidly, using the sample procedure as described with reference to FIGS. 4-6. While this sample installation procedure is specifically directed with reference to grid 60 it should be noted that the installation of panels S on grids 60a and 60b follows the same sequence illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. Close dimensional allowances, in terms of location, size and shape, between lugs A and slots 76, 78 (and 76a, 761)) as well as slots 82, 84 (and 82a, 84a, 82b, 84b), allow slabs S to be uniformly and securely held to structure C in a near perfect plane. Grids 60, 60a, and 60b may be used to hold panels S to both horizontal and vertical surfaces as well as any angular surface therebetween.

It should further be noted that while panels S are generally secured to grids 60, 60a and 60b by operatively engaging lugs A both between two first support members and between two second support members, it is also possible to secure panels S merely between either only two first or two second support members, i.e., thereby securing panels S only on one pair of opposite outside edges.

The angular metal support members of this invention, be they generally U-shaped, T-shaped or of L-shaped configuration, as well as any modifications thereof, can be formed, rolled or extruded and may, for example, be made of extruded aluminum alloy or rolled steel sections.

While this invention has been described in connection with possible forms or embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that changes or modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. In a mounting system for slab facing materials including a basic building structure, a structural grid assembly, and a plurality of adjacent facing slabs, with each facing slab having attachment means in the vicinity of at least one pair of opposite outside edges thereof, said structural grid assembly comprismg:

a. a plurality of spaced, parallel, first support members, secured to said building structure on which said facing slabs are to be mounted, each of said first support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one slot; and

b. a plurality of spaced, parallel, second support members, perpendicularly intersecting and planar with said first support members secured to said building structure, each of said second support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one slot,

wherein said attachment means are operatively engageable in a slot of each of the leg portions of a pair of one of said first and second support members, thereby cooperatively mounting a slab of facing material therebetween.

2. In the mounting system of claim 1 wherein each support member of at least a pair of one of said first and second support members is angularly shaped and comprised of an attachment base and at least one leg portion, and said attachment base is secured to said building structure.

3. In the mounting system of claim 1 wherein each support member of at least a pair of one of said first and second support members is generally T-shaped and has its wing portion secured to said building structure.

4. In the mounting system of claim 1 wherein each support member of at least a pair of one of said first and second support members is generally U-shaped and comprised of two leg portions joined by a web portion, with said web portion being attached to said building structure.

5. In the mounting system of claim 4 wherein said generally U-shaped support member leg portions are parallel, with each leg portion having at least one pair of slots, said slots having at least one wedge portion.

6. In the mounting system of claim 4 wherein said generally U-shaped support member leg portions are parallel, with each leg portion having at least one pair of slots, said slots being generally rectangular in shape.

7. ln a mounting system for slab facing materials including a basic building structure, a structural grid assembly, and a pair of adjacent facing slabs, with each facing slab having attachment means in the vicinity of at least one pair of opposite outside edges thereof, said structural grid assembly comprismg:

a. a plurality of parallel first support members secured, in spaced relation to each other, to said building structure on which said facing slabs are to be mounted, each of said first support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots; and a plurality of parallel second support members, disposed at angles to and intersecting but planar with said first support members and secured, in spaced relation to each other, to said building structure, each of said second support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots,

wherein the attachment means in the vicinity of the adjacent edges of said pair of adjacent slabs are operatively engageable in the pair of slots of the leg portions of one of said first and second support members, while the attachment means in the vicinity of the edges opposite from said contiguous edges are operatively engageable in one of the slots of the leg portions of further ones of said first and second support members, thereby cooperatively mounting said adjacent slabs of facing material therebetween.

8. In a mounting system for slab facing materials including a basic building structure, a structural grid assembly, and a pair of adjacent facing slabs, with each facing slab having attachment means in the vicinity of at least one pair of opposite outside edges thereof, said structural grid assembly comprismg:

a. a plurality of parallel first support members secured, in spaced relation to each other, to said building structure, each of said first support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots; and

b. a plurality of parallel second support members, disposed at angles to and intersecting but planar with said first support members and secured, in spaced relation to each other, to said building structure, each of said second support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots, wherein the attachment means in the vicinity of each edge of the two pairs of opposite outside edges, normal to said contiguous edges, are operatively engageable in one of the slots of the leg portion of the other ones of said first and second channel support members, thereby cooperatively mounting said adjacent slabs of facing material therebetween.

9. in a mounting system for slab facing materials including a basic building structure, a structural grid assembly, and a pair of adjacent facing slabs, with said pair of facing slabs having attachment means in the vicinities of both their contiguous edges and the edges opposite thereto as well as the two pairs of opposite edges normal to said contiguous edges, said structural grid assembly comprising:

a. a plurality of parallel, first support means secured, in

spaced relation to each other, upon said building structure, each of said first support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots; and

b. a plurality of parallel second support members, disposed at angles to and intersecting but planar with said first support members and secured, in spaced relation to each other, upon said building structure each of said second support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots, wherein the attachment means of said contiguous edges are operatively engageable in the pair of slots of the leg portion of one of said first and second support members and the attachment means of the edges opposite to said contiguous edges are operatively engageable in one of the slots of the leg portions of further ones of said first and second support members; while the attachment means of each edge of said two pairs of opposite outside edges, normal to said contiguous edges, are operatively engageable in one of the slots of the leg portion of the other ones of said first and second support members, thereby cooperatively mounting a pair of facing slabs between multiples of both said first and second support members.

10. In an anchoring system for slab facing materials includ ing a basic building structure, a structural grid assembly, and at least one facing slab, with each facing slab having two pairs of opposite outside edges and attachment lugs in the vicinity of each of said outside edges, said structural grid assembly comprising:

a. plurality of spaced parallel, first support members, secured to said building structure on which said facing slabs are to be anchored, each of said first support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of wedging slots; and

b. a plurality of spaced, parallel, second support members,

normal to and intersecting but planar with said first support members, also secured to said building structure, each of said second support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of openings,

wherein the attachment lugs in the vicinity of the edges of one of said two pairs of opposite outside edges are operatively engageable in one of the wedging slots of each of the leg portions of a pair of said first support members, and the attachment lugs in the vicinity of the edges of the other of said two pairs of outside edges are operatively engageable in one of the openings of each of the leg portions of a pair of said second support members, thereby cooperatively anchoring a slab of facing material between both said pairs of first and second support members.

11. In a mounting system for slab-like facing materials including a structure to be faced, a structural grid assembly and pluralities of facing slabs, with each such slab of facing material being provided with attachment means adjacent opposite edge portions thereof, said structural grid assembly comprising, a plurality of substantially parallel spaced-apart support members positioned upon a surface of said structure to be faced, each of said support members including an attachment base portion secured to said structure to be faced and at least one mounting flange portion extending angularly from said base portion, means formed in the mounting flange portion of each said support members for cooperably receiving said attachment means on a facing slab to thereby mount such slab upon said structure to be faced, and wedge means associated with said receiving means for anchoring said attachment means within said receiving means.

12. In the mounting system defined in claim 1 1 wherein said plurality of substantially parallel support members includes a plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallel first support members secured to said surface to be faced and a plurality of substantially parallel second support members secured to said surface to be faced in spaced apart relationship with respect to one another while intersecting said first support members, and said means for receiving said attachment means including a plurality of slot portions formed in said mounting flange portions.

13. In the mounting system defined in claim 11 wherein each of said support members is provided with a pair of mounting flanges, and said pair of mounting flanges is provided with at least one pair of substantially parallel slot means for receiving aligned attachment means secured to adjacent slabs of facing material mounted thereon.

14. In the mounting system defined in claim 12 wherein said slot portions formed in said mounting flange portions of said UNITED STATES rATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE CF CORRECTION Patent 2 661.611 Dated March 28, 197

Inventor) George J. Sentry It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent n and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the patent heading, Appln. No. "36,198 should read 36,lO8-;

Column 3, lines 7 and 8, "of panel" should read -of a panel-; Column 3, line &4, "between S" should read --between slab S,- Column 7, line 64, "support means should read --support members-; Column 9, line 3, flange portion" should read --flange portions-.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR.

ROBBIE G' Attesting Offi T UTTSCHALK Commissioner of Patents F ORM PO-1050(10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 a u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: was o-36sus4 

1. In a mounting system for slab facing materials including a basic building structure, a structural grid assembly, and a plurality of adjacent facing slabs, with each facing slab having attachment means in the vicinity of at least one pair of opposite outside edges thereof, said structural grid assembly comprising: a. a plurality of spaced, parallel, first support members, secured to said building structure on which said facing slabs are to be mounted, each of said first support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one slot; and b. a plurality of spaced, parallel, second support members, perpendicularly intersecting and planar with said first support members secured to said building structure, each of said second support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one slot, wherein said attachment means are operatively engageable in a slot of each of the leg portions of a pair of one of said first and second support members, thereby cooperatively mounting a slab of facing material therebetween.
 2. In the mounting system of claim 1 wherein each support member of at least a pair of one of said first and second support members is angularly shaped and comprised of an attachment base and at least one leg portion, and said attachment base is secured to said building structure.
 3. In the mounting system of claim 1 wherein each support member of at least a pair of one of said first and second support members is generally T-shaped and has its wing portion secured to said building structure.
 4. In the mounting system of claim 1 wherein each support member of at least a pair of one of said first and second support members is generally U-shaped and comprised of two leg portions joined by a web portion, with said web portion being attached to said building structure.
 5. In the mounting system of claim 4 wherein said generally U-shaped support member leg portions are parallel, with each leg portion having at least one pair of slots, said slots having at least one wedge portion.
 6. In the mounting system of claim 4 wherein said generally U-shaped support member leg portions are parallel, with each leg portion having at least one pair of slots, said slots being generally rectangular in shape.
 7. In a mounting system for slab facing materials including a basic building structure, a structural grid assembly, and a pair of adjacent facing slabs, with each facing slab having attachment means in the vicinity of at least one pair of opposite outside edges thereof, said structural grid assembly comprising: a. a plurality of parallel first support members secured, in spaced relation to each other, to said building structure on which said facing slabs are to be mounted, each of said first support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots; and b. a plurality of parallel second support members, disposed at angles to and intersecting but planar with said first support members and secured, in spaced relation to each other, to said building structure, each of said second support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots, wherein the attachment means in the vicinity of the adjacent edges of said pair of adjacent slabs are operatively engageable in the pair of slots of the leg portions of one of said first and second support members, while the attachment means in the vicinity of the edges opposite from said contiguous edges are operatively engageable in one of the slots of the leg portions of further ones of said first and second support members, thereby cooperatively mounting said adjacent slabs of facing material therebetween.
 8. In a mounting system for slab facing materials including a basic building structure, a structural grid assembly, and a pair of adjacent facing slabs, with each facing slab having attachment means in the vicinity of at least one pair of opposite outside edges thereof, said structural grid assembly comprising: a. a plurality of parallel first support members secured, in spaced relation to each other, to said building structure, each of said first support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots; and b. a plurality of parallel second support members, disposed at angles to and intersecting but planar with said first support members and secured, in spaced relation to each other, to said building structure, each of said second support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots, wherein the attachment means in the vicinity of each edge of the two pairs of opposite outside edges, normal to said contiguous edges, are operatively engageable in one of the slots of the leg portion of the other ones of said first and second channel support members, thereby cooperatively mounting said adjacent slabs of facing material therebetween.
 9. In a mounting system for slab facing materials including a basic building structure, a structural grid assembly, and a pair of adjacent facing slabs, with said pair of facing slabs having attachment means in the vicinities of both their contiguous edges and the edges opposite thereto as well as the two pairs of opposite edges normal to said contiguous edges, said structural grid assembly comprising: a. a plurality of parallel, first support members secured, in spaced relation to each other, upon said building structure, each of said first support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots; and b. a plurality of parallel second support members, disposed at angles to and intersecting but planar with said first support members and secured, in spaced relation to each other, upon said building structure each of said second support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of slots, wherein the attachment means of said contiguous edges are operatively engageable in the pair of slots of the leg portion of one of said first and second support members and the attachment means of the edges opposite to said contiguous edges are operatively engageable in one of the slots of the leg portions of further ones of said first and second support members; while the attachment means of each edge of said two pairs of opposite outside edges, normal to said contiguous edges, are operatively engageable in one of the slots of the leg portion of the other ones of said first and second support members, thereby cooperatively mounting a pair of facing slabs between multiples of both said first and second support members.
 10. In an anchoring system for slab facing materials including a basic building structure, a structural grid assembly, and at least one facing slab, with each facing slab having two pairs of opposite outside edges and attachment lugs in the vicinity of each of said outside edges, said structural grid assembly comprising: a. plurality of spaced parallel, first support members, secured to said building structure on which said facing slabs are to be anchored, each of said first support members having at least one leG portion incorporating at least one pair of wedging slots; and b. a plurality of spaced, parallel, second support members, normal to and intersecting but planar with said first support members, also secured to said building structure, each of said second support members having at least one leg portion incorporating at least one pair of openings, wherein the attachment lugs in the vicinity of the edges of one of said two pairs of opposite outside edges are operatively engageable in one of the wedging slots of each of the leg portions of a pair of said first support members, and the attachment lugs in the vicinity of the edges of the other of said two pairs of outside edges are operatively engageable in one of the openings of each of the leg portions of a pair of said second support members, thereby cooperatively anchoring a slab of facing material between both said pairs of first and second support members.
 11. In a mounting system for slab-like facing materials including a structure to be faced, a structural grid assembly and pluralities of facing slabs, with each such slab of facing material being provided with attachment means adjacent opposite edge portions thereof, said structural grid assembly comprising, a plurality of substantially parallel spaced-apart support members positioned upon a surface of said structure to be faced, each of said support members including an attachment base portion secured to said structure to be faced and at least one mounting flange portion extending angularly from said base portion, means formed in the mounting flange portion of each said support members for cooperably receiving said attachment means on a facing slab to thereby mount such slab upon said structure to be faced, and wedge means associated with said receiving means for anchoring said attachment means within said receiving means.
 12. In the mounting system defined in claim 11 wherein said plurality of substantially parallel support members includes a plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallel first support members secured to said surface to be faced and a plurality of substantially parallel second support members secured to said surface to be faced in spaced apart relationship with respect to one another while intersecting said first support members, and said means for receiving said attachment means including a plurality of slot portions formed in said mounting flange portions.
 13. In the mounting system defined in claim 11 wherein each of said support members is provided with a pair of mounting flanges, and said pair of mounting flanges is provided with at least one pair of substantially parallel slot means for receiving aligned attachment means secured to adjacent slabs of facing material mounted thereon.
 14. In the mounting system defined in claim 12 wherein said slot portions formed in said mounting flange portions of said first support members are open to and communicate with outer edge portions of said mounting flange portions, whereas said slot portions formed in said mounting flange portions of said second support members are completely enclosed and surrounded by said mounting flange portions.
 15. In the mounting system defined in claim 14 wherein said wedge means are formed in wall portions of the slot portions formed in said first support members. 